Iran would have “no problem” pursuing a deal with the United States if American negotiators and President Donald Trump can prove they are acting in good faith, according to Ebrahim Azizi, head of the Iranian parliament’s national security committee.
Speaking in an interview with CNN on Monday, Azizi signaled that Tehran remains open to negotiations with Washington but stressed that trust remains the biggest obstacle to any potential agreement.
Azizi was asked about President Trump’s recent assertions that a deal between Tehran and Washington could be close. Responding to those claims, the senior Iranian official said Tehran remains skeptical about the US president’s intentions.
“We don’t think he’s honest,” Azizi said, casting doubt on Trump’s optimism regarding ongoing negotiations.
Tehran says negotiations require sincerity
Azizi argued that Iran views diplomacy as an extension of its broader struggle and reiterated that negotiations can only succeed if the United States demonstrates sincerity.
“We have said many times that we accept a negotiation as a continuation of the battlefield,” he said.
He added that the Islamic Republic would not object to talks if it became convinced that American officials, particularly President Trump, were genuinely committed to negotiation and willing to follow established diplomatic principles.
“If we could be convinced that there is sincerity from the Americans, especially from the president of the US, and if we could reach confidence that they are people of negotiation and that they also submit to the rules of negotiation, then the Islamic Republic would have no problem with negotiating,” Azizi stated.
Frozen assets remain major obstacle
According to Azizi, the biggest challenge facing the current round of negotiations is the implementation of what he described as a realistic framework for an agreement.
The Iranian official claimed that progress has been hindered by the United States’ decision to keep Iranian assets frozen overseas.
He said Washington had initially agreed during negotiations to release those frozen funds, suggesting that the issue has become a significant sticking point in the talks.
Iran refuses to compromise on key issues
Despite expressing openness to negotiations, Azizi indicated that Tehran remains firm on several core issues. He said Iran is not prepared to back down on matters related to enriched uranium and nuclear weapons, signaling that these subjects remain highly sensitive within the negotiations.
The comments come amid continued diplomatic efforts to reach a broader agreement between Tehran and Washington following months of regional tensions.
Peace deal depends on US actions
When asked whether he believes a peace agreement is achievable, Azizi said the outcome depends entirely on how the United States conducts itself moving forward.
“If these same behaviors continue, then no, we do not have any trust at all, and with this lack of trust, it’s not possible for negotiations to continue,” he said.
The Iranian official stressed that rebuilding confidence will be essential if both sides hope to make progress toward a lasting agreement.
Conditions for continued negotiations
Azizi said Iran’s willingness to move forward depends on whether its specific conditions are met and whether tangible benefits are reflected in the country’s national interests.
He highlighted economic issues, financial matters, banking access, sanctions relief and developments in Lebanon as key priorities for Tehran.
“If those conditions that the Islamic Republic of Iran specifies are fulfilled, and if in practice we see that reflected in the country’s national interests, especially in the economic sphere, financial matters, banking, sanctions, and the issue of Lebanon, which is very, very important to us, we will by no means back down on the issue of the resistance front, its members, and especially Lebanon,” Azizi said.
